Two Cases of Cancer Patients who might have Resilience

Abstract

Introduction : In routine clinical practice, we encounter patients who remain peaceful and calm regardless of their disease status. We report two patients in whom harsh and rapid changes occurred in their disease condition, and we discuss these cases from the viewpoint of resilience.

Case 1 : The patient was a male in his 60s with small-cell lung cancer. Paresis of the bilateral lower limbs and left upper limb appeared due to cervical spinal metastasis. The patient always interacted with people with a smile. He decided on discontinuation of treatment during partial remission after tertiary chemotherapy and died after transition to home care.

Case 2 : The patient was a male in his 40s with concomitant gastric cancer that developed after surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Paralysis of the bilateral lower limbs appeared due to brain metastasis and thoracic spinal cord compression by the tumor. He was always bright and positive. Home care was being coordinated with consideration for the care burden on his mother.

Discussion : These two patients showed psychological adjustment while facing progression of disease and the reality of reduced independence. This suggests the presence of resilience in the process of self-determination with appreciation of the need to adjust to the situation. The psychological process of maintaining a significant connection with others while being aware of one’s own psychological character and experience, in addition to the management of the disease condition, may influence activation of intrinsic resilience.